Delay circuit manufacturable by semiconductor elements

ABSTRACT

A delay circuit includes a first filter circuit responsive to an input signal and outputting a first output signal having first-order low pass characteristics with respect to the input signal, a second filter circuit responsive to the input signal and outputting a second output signal having first-order high pass characteristics with respect to the input signal, and a difference computing circuit responsive to the first and second output signals and outputting a difference signal therebetween as an output signal of the delay circuit. By the constitution, it is possible to reduce an attenuation factor irrespective of the input signal frequency and obtain a relatively long and easily changeable delay time in a wide frequency band.

This is a divisional, of application Ser. No. 07/946,721 filed Sep. 18, 1992 U.S. Pat. No. 5,461,335.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a delay circuit, more particularly, to a delay circuit manufacturable by semiconductor elements and used for digital signal processing and analog signal processing.

In analog circuits, a delay circuit is used for processing various signals, for example, as a ghost canceller in a television signal circuit, or as a pulse shaper in a hard disk. On the other hand, in digital circuits, a delay circuit is used for regulating signal timings. For example, a digital filter is in a category of such a delay circuit. A digital filter generally includes a plurality of delay circuits each having a constant time lag and connected in a cascade connection, where predetermined weights are added to respective signals at the connection points between the delay circuits and thus addition and subtraction of the weighted signals are carried out. Thus, delay circuits are widely utilized in various applications.

2. Description of the Related Art

Delay circuits are generally constituted using passive elements such as capacitors, inductance components and the like, or using active elements such as transistors and the like.

With respect to delay circuits using passive elements, however, there are posed a number of problems. For example, where the delay circuit is connected by multiple stages, the attenuation factor of the delayed signal becomes large due to resistance components occurring in series with inductance components. Also, since respective values of the inductance components and the capacitors are constant, it is difficult to easily change the delay time. Furthermore, since the inductance components cannot be manufactured by semiconductor elements, it is impossible to realize a small size, high performance and low cost of the delay circuit.

On the other hand, delay circuits using active elements pose a problem in that, where a relatively long delay time is obtained, the frequency band of the delayed output signal becomes narrow.

Note, the problems in the prior art will be explained later in detail in contrast with the preferred embodiments of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a a delay circuit which can reduce an attenuation factor irrespective of an input signal frequency and obtain a relatively long and easily changeable delay time in a wide frequency band, while being manufacturable by semiconductor elements.

According to the present invention, there is provided a delay circuit including a first filter circuit responsive to an input signal and outputting a first output signal having first-order low pass characteristics with respect to the input signal, a second filter circuit responsive to the input signal and outputting a second output signal having first-order high pass characteristics with respect to the input signal, and a difference computing circuit responsive to the first and second output signals and outputting a difference signal therebetween as an output signal of the delay circuit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and features of the present invention will be described hereinafter in detail by way of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a constitution of a prior art delay circuit;

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a constitution of another prior art delay circuit;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a fundamental constitution of the delay circuit according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a constitution of the delay circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 5a and 5b are circuit diagrams showing a constitution of the delay circuit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Throughout the description, identical references used in connection with the drawings indicate like constituent elements and thus the repetition of explanation thereof is omitted. Also, in the description below, the term "transistor" indicates an NPN bipolar transistor so long as a specific definition is not added thereto.

First, for a better understanding of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the related prior art will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 1 illustrates a constitution of a prior art delay circuit.

The circuit of FIG. 1 shows an example of an analog delay circuit using passive elements and is constituted by a combination of a plurality of inductance elements L₁, L₂, . . . , Ln connected in series and a plurality of capacitors C₁, C₂, . . . , Cn connected in parallel. With respect to a relatively low frequency band, the circuit provides a delay time below.

    τ=n·LC.sup.1/2

Note, L₁ =L₂ =. . . =Ln=L, and C₁ =C₂ =. . . =Cn=C.

The delay circuit shown in FIG. 1 poses a number of problems. First, where the circuit is connected by multiple stages in a cascade connection, the attenuation factor of the delayed signal becomes large due to resistance components occurring in series with inductance components. Second, to variably change the delay time, taps must be provided halfway in the circuit to thus change the wiring because respective values of the inductance elements Li and the capacitors Ci are constant. Third, it is impossible to manufacture the delay circuit by semiconductor elements to thus realize a small size, high performance and low cost because the inductance components cannot be manufactured by semiconductor elements.

FIG. 2 illustrates a constitution of another prior art delay circuit.

The circuit of FIG. 2 shows an example of a delay circuit using active elements and is constituted by a filter stage 1 with first-order low pass characteristics and an output stage 2. The filter stage 1 includes a differential amplifier constituted by transistors Q₁ to Q₄, resistors R₁ to R₄ and a source IS₁ feeding a constant current 2I, plus a capacitor C. In the constitution, the ratio of an alternating current input V_(IN) to an alternating current output V_(OUT) is expressed as follows: ##EQU1## where V_(T) =k T/q. Note, h_(FE) indicates a current amplification factor of an NPN transistor; k a Boltzmann's constant; T an absolute temperature; and q a charge of an electron. Assuming that h_(FE) >>1, and R₁ =R₂ =R₃ =R₄ =R, the equation (1) is modified as follows: ##EQU2## where 1/ω_(c) =2 (R+V_(T) /I) C.

Accordingly, where the circuit of FIG. 2 is connected by n stages in a cascade connection, the entire amplification factor G, phase difference φ and delay time τ are expressed as follows: ##EQU3##

Furthermore, assuming that ω<ω_(c), the equations (3) and (4) are modified as follows:

    G=1/{1+ω/(ω.sub.c /n}                          (5)

    τ=n/ω.sub.c                                      (6)

The delay circuit shown in FIG. 2 poses a problem in that, where a relatively long delay time is obtained, the frequency band of the delayed output signal becomes narrow. This is because ω must be selected to be much smaller than ω_(c) to lengthen the delay time, as seen from the equation (4).

FIG. 3 illustrates a fundamental constitution of the delay circuit according to the present invention.

In the illustration, reference 12 denotes a filter unit including a first filter (circuit) 12A with low pass characteristics and a second filter (circuit) 12B with high pass characteristics. The first filter 12A responds to an input signal V_(IN) and outputs a first output signal V₂ having first-order low pass characteristics with respect to the input signal. In a like manner, the second filter 12B responds to the input signal V_(IN) and outputs a second output signal V₃ having first-order high pass characteristics with respect to the input signal. Reference 13 denotes a difference computing unit (circuit) which responds to the first and second output signals and outputs a difference signal therebetween as an output signal V_(OUT) of the delay circuit.

According to the above constitution, since the output signal of the delay circuit is defined by the difference signal between the signal with low pass characteristics and the signal with high pass characteristics, it can have the entire band pass characteristics with respect to the input signal. Therefore, it is possible to make the amplification factor one (1), i.e., to make the attenuation factor zero (0). Also, by suitably selecting semiconductor elements constituting the filter unit 12 and the difference computing unit 13, it is possible to obtain a relatively long and easily changeable delay time in a wide frequency band.

Next, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4, 5a and 5b.

FIG. 4 illustrates a constitution of the delay circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The illustrated delay circuit includes an input stage 11 which receives a difference voltage input signal V_(IN) and outputs a signal V₁, a filter stage 12 which receives the output signal V₁ of the input stage 11 and outputs a signal V₂ and a signal V₃, and a difference computing stage 13 which computes a difference signal between the signals V₂ and V₃ and outputs an output signal V_(OUT) of the delay circuit

The input stage 11 includes transistors Q₁₁, Q₁₂ each having a collector connected to a higher voltage power supply line Vcc and a base connected to the collector, a resistor R₁₁ having one end connected to an emitter of the transistor Q₁₁, a resistor R₁₂ having one end connected to an emitter of the transistor Q₁₂, a transistor Q₁₃ having a collector connected to another end of the resistor R₁₁ and a base receiving the input signal V_(IN) a transistor Q₁₄ having a collector connected to another end of the resistor R₁₂ and a base receiving the input signal V_(IN), resistors R₁₃, R₁₄ each having one end connected to a corresponding emitter of the transistors Q₁₃, Q₁₄, and a constant current source IS₁₁ connected between each another end of the resistors R₁₃, R₁₄ and a lower voltage power supply line V_(EE) and feeding a constant current 2I. The input stage 11 functions as a level converter, a buffer and an amplifier.

The output signal V₁ of the input stage 11 is taken from between the collectors of the transistors Q₁₃ and Q₁₄. In this case, where the current amplification factor h_(EE) of each transistor Q₁₁ ˜Q₁₄ is much higher than 100, the output signal V₁ is expressed as follows: ##EQU4##

The filter stage 12 includes transistors Q₁₅, Q₁₆ each having a collector connected to the power supply line Vcc and a base connected to the collector, a resistor R₁₅ having one end connected to an emitter of the transistor Q₁₅, a resistor R₁₆ having one end connected to an emitter of the transistor Q₁₆, a transistor Q₁₇ having a collector connected to another end of the resistor R₁₅ and a base receiving the signal V₁, a transistor Q₁₈ having a collector connected to another end of the resistor R₁₆ and a base receiving the signal V₁, resistors R₁₇, R₁₈ each having one end connected to a corresponding emitter of the transistors Q₁₇, Q₁₈, a constant current source IS₁₂ connected between another end of the resistor R₁₇ and the power supply line V_(EE) and feeding a constant current I, a constant current source IS₁₃ connected between another end of the resistor R₁₈ and the power supply line V_(EE) and feeding a constant current I, and a capacitor C connected between the another ends of the resistors R₁₇ and R₁₈.

The signal V₂ of the filter stage 12 is taken from across the capacitor C and the signal V₃ thereof is taken from between the collectors of the transistors Q₁₇ and Q₁₈. The signals V₂, V₃ are expressed as follows: ##EQU5##

As is obvious from the equations (8) and (9), the signal V₂ has first-order low pass characteristics with respect to the input signal V_(IN), and the signal V₃ has first-order high pass characteristics with respect to the input signal V_(IN).

The difference computing stage 13 includes transistors Q₁₉, Q₂₀ each having a collector connected to the power supply line Vcc and a base receiving the signal V₃, a transistor Q₂₁ having a collector connected to an emitter of the transistor Q₁₉ and a base receiving the signal V₂, a transistor Q₂₂ having a collector connected to an emitter of the transistor Q₂₀ and a base receiving the signal V₂, resistors R₁₉, R₂₀ each having one end connected to a corresponding emitter of the transistors Q₂₁, Q₂₂, and a constant current source IS₁₄ connected between each another end of the resistors R₁₉, R₂₀ and the power supply line V_(EE) and feeding a constant current 2I.

The output signal V_(OUT) of the difference computing stage 13 is taken from between the collectors of the transistors Q₂₁ and Q₂₂ and expressed as follows: ##EQU6##

As seen from the equation (10), the output signal V_(OUT) of the delay circuit has the entire band pass characteristics with respect to the input signal V_(IN). Assuming that 1/ω_(c) =2 (R+V_(T) /I), the equation (10) is modified as follows:

    V.sub.OUT =(1-jω/ω.sub.c)/(1+jω/ω.sub.c)×V.sub.IN(11)

Therefore, the amplification factor G of the delay circuit of FIG. 4 is expressed as follows: ##EQU7##

As seen from the equation (12), the amplification factor is not dependent on the input signal frequency. Also, even if the circuit of FIG. 4 is connected by n stages in a cascade connection, there is no attenuation occurring.

On the other hand, the phase difference φ is expressed as follows:

    φ=-2 tan.sup.-1 (ω/ω.sub.c)

Accordingly, the delay time τ is expressed as follows: ##EQU8##

As explained above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the attenuation factor irrespective of the input signal frequency and obtain a relatively long and easily changeable delay time in a wide frequency band. Also, since no inductance component is necessary, it is possible to manufacture the delay circuit by semiconductor elements. This contributes to a small size, high performance and low cost.

FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate a constitution of the delay circuit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The illustrated delay circuit is different from the constitution of FIG. 4 in that the resistors R₁₃ to R₂₀ are removed and the resistors R₁₁ and R₁₂ are substituted by a pair of transistors Q₂₃ and Q₂₄, and in that a constant current source 14 is provided for feeding the constant current (I) in proportional to the absolute temperature (T). Non-use of the resistors is for the reason below. Namely, where resistors are formed by semiconductor elements, they are generally formed in the form of a diffusion resistance. The diffusion resistance has a considerable temperature coefficient, normally 1500 to 3000 ppm/deg, and thus the delay time τ indicated by the equation (13) also has a considerable temperature coefficient accordingly. In other words, where the delay circuit includes resistors in the form of diffusion resistances, the delay time is changed depending upon the temperature coefficient. The delay circuit of the present embodiment improves the disadvantage.

The constant current source 14 shown in FIG. 5b includes resistors R₂₁, R₂₂ each having one end connected to the power supply line Vcc, a PNP transistor Q₂₅ having an emitter connected to another end of the resistor R₂₁, a PNP transistor Q₂₆ having an emitter connected to another end of the resistor R₂₂ and a base connected to both its collector and a base of the transistor Q₂₅, a PNP transistor Q₂₇ having an emitter connected to the collector of the transistor Q₂₆ and a base connected to a collector of the transistor Q₂₅, a transistor Q₂₈ having a collector connected to the collector of the transistor Q₂₅ and an emitter connected to one end of an externally attached resistor R_(T), a transistor Q₂₉ having a collector connected to the collector of the transistor Q₂₇ and an emitter connected to another end of the resistor R_(T), and a transistor Q₃₀ connected between the power supply line Vcc and each base of the transistors Q₂₈, Q₂₉ and responsive to a potential at the collector of the transistor Q₂₇.

The externally attached resistor R_(T) is selected to have an extremely small temperature coefficient. Thus, by changing a value of the resistor R_(T), it is possible to change the delay time. Note, a transistor indicated by reference Q and a resistor indicated by reference R constitute the constant current source in the input stage 11a, the filter stage 12a and the difference computing stage 13a, respectively. In the constant current source 14, the transistors Q₂₅ to Q₂₇ constitute a current mirror circuit. Therefore, the following relationship is given.

    I.sub.1 =I.sub.2

To this end, it is necessary to select the area of the emitter region of the transistor Q₂₈ to be n times that of the transistor Q₂₉. Namely, ##EQU9## Thus, it is possible to make the value of the constant current I proportional to the absolute temperature T.

Although the present invention has been disclosed and described by way of two embodiments, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that other embodiments and modifications of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit or essential features thereof. 

I claim:
 1. A delay circuit comprising:a first filter circuit responsive to an input signal and outputting a first output signal having first-order low pass characteristics with respect to the input signal; a second filter circuit responsive to the input signal and outputting a second output signal having first-order high pass characteristics with respect to the input signal; a terminal for use in connection to an external resistance element; a difference computing circuit responsive to the first and second output signals and outputting a difference signal therebetween as an output signal of the delay circuit, wherein the first filter circuit and the second filter circuit are constituted by a filter circuit in the form of a differential amplifier, wherein the filter circuit in the form of the differential amplifier comprises a first pair of transistors each having a collector connected to a higher voltage power supply line and a base connected to the collector, a second pair of transistors each having a collector connected to a corresponding emitter of the first pair of transistors and a base receiving a signal of emitter-coupled logic level, a pair of constant current sources each connected between a corresponding emitter of the second pair of transistors and a lower voltage power supply line, said pair of constant current sources connected to the terminal, and a capacitor connected between the emitters of the second pair of transistors, the first output signal with low pass characteristics being taken from across the capacitor, the second output signal with high pass characteristics being taken from between the collectors of the second pair of transistors.
 2. A delay circuit as set forth in claim 1, wherein the difference computing circuit comprises a third pair of transistors each having a collector connected to the higher voltage power supply line and a base receiving the second output signal, a fourth pair of transistors each having a collector connected to a corresponding emitter of the third pair of transistors and a base receiving the first output signal, and a constant current source connected between each emitter of the fourth pair of transistors and the lower voltage power supply line, the output signal of the delay circuit being taken from between the collectors of the fourth pair of transistors.
 3. A delay circuit as set forth in claim 2, further comprising an input stage circuit responsive to the input signal and generating the signal of emitter-coupled logic level.
 4. A delay circuit as set forth in claim 3, wherein the input stage circuit comprises a fifth pair of transistors each having a collector connected to the higher voltage power supply line and a base connected to the collector, a seventh pair of transistors each having a collector connected to a corresponding emitter of the fifth pair of transistors and a base connected to the collector, a sixth pair of transistors each having a collector connected to a corresponding emitter of the seventh pair of transistors and a base receiving the input signal, and a constant current source connected between each emitter of the sixth pair of transistors and the lower voltage power supply line, the signal of emitter-coupled logic level being taken from between the collectors of the sixth pair of transistors.
 5. A delay circuit as set forth in claim 4, wherein each of the constant current sources used in the filter circuit, the difference computing circuit and the input stage circuit feeds a constant current proportional to an absolute temperature.
 6. A delay circuit as set forth in claim 5, further comprising another constant current source which feeds a constant reference voltage to each of the constant current sources used in the filter circuit, the difference computing circuit and the input stage circuit and thus causes the constant current proportional to the absolute temperature to flow in each circuit.
 7. A delay circuit as set forth in claim 6, wherein the another constant current source is constituted in the form of a current mirror circuit.
 8. A delay circuit as set forth in claim 7, wherein said external resistance element is connected to the another constant current source, the external resistance element being selected to have an extremely small temperature coefficient.
 9. A delay circuit comprising:a first filter circuit responsive to an input signal and outputting a first output signal having first-order low pass characteristics with respect to the input signal, the first filter circuit connected to a first voltage power supply line; a second filter circuit responsive to the input signal and outputting a second output signal having first-order high pass characteristics with respect to the input signal, the second filter circuit connected to the first voltage power supply line; a difference computing circuit responsive to the first and second output signals and outputting a difference signal therebetween as an output signal of the delay circuit; a first current source connected between the first and second filter circuits and a second voltage power supply line, the first current source provided to drive the first and second filter circuits; a second current source connected between the difference computing circuit and the second voltage power supply line, the second current source provided to drive the difference computing circuit; a reference current source, connected between the first and second voltage power supply lines, the reference current source including a terminal for use in connection to an external resistance element, a current-mirror circuit which causes current to flow in the resistance element when the resistance element is connected to the terminal and outputs current proportional to current flowing in the resistance element, and a current controller, connected to the first and second current sources, for controlling output currents of the respective current sources based upon an output of said current-mirror circuit. 